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Get Windows Vista: System requirements

Windows Vista recommended system requirements

Home Basic

Home Premium / Business / Ultimate

  • 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor

  • 512 MB of system memory

  • 20 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space

  • Support for DirectX 9 graphics and 32 MB of graphics memory

  • DVD-ROM drive

  • Audio Output

  • Internet access (fees may apply)

Additional requirements

Actual requirements and product functionality may vary based on your system configuration. Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor can help you determine which features and edition of Windows Vista will run on your computer.

While all editions of Windows Vista can support multiple core CPUs, only Windows Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise can support dual processors.

  • 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor

  • 1 GB of system memory

  • 40 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space

  • Support for DirectX 9 graphics with:

    • WDDM Driver

    • 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum)

    • Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware

    • 32 bits per pixel

  • DVD-ROM drive

  • Audio Output

  • Internet access (fees may apply)

Additional requirements

Actual requirements and product functionality may vary based on your system configuration. Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor can help you determine which features and edition of Windows Vista will run on your computer.

While all editions of Windows Vista can support multiple core CPUs, only Windows Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise can support dual processors.

Home Premium / Ultimate

TV tuner card required for TV functionality (compatible remote control optional).

Home Premium / Business / Ultimate

Windows Tablet and Touch Technology requires a Tablet PC or a touch screen.

Ultimate

Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption requires a USB Flash Drive and a system with a TPM 1.2 chip.



Windows Vista minimum supported system requirements
Home Basic / Home Premium / Business / Ultimate

  • 800 MHz processor and 512 MB of system memory

  • 20 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space

  • Support for Super VGA graphics

  • CD-ROM drive

Find hardware requirements

Some of the features available in specific premium editions of Windows Vista require additional hardware. Listed below are the feature-specific requirements that you will need to take into consideration when choosing to run these features.

Feature

Requirement

Applicable Editions

TV Tuning

A TV tuner card and a remote control which complies with the Windows Vista Remote Control Specification are required for TV functionality and an optimal TV viewing experience. 1 GB of system memory is recommended for best Media Center performance.

Windows Vista Home Premium , Windows Vista Ultimate


BitLocker Drive Encryption

Requires an integrated Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 chip or USB 2.0 key

Windows Vista Ultimate , Windows Vista Enterprise

Tablet PC Features

These features require a PC which meets the Tablet PC specification that includes an electromagnetic digitizer pen.

Windows Vista Home Premium , Windows Vista Ultimate , Windows Vista Business , Windows Vista Enterprise

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Some product features are only available in certain editions of Windows Vista
and may require advanced or additional hardware.

Upgrading or buying a new PC? Check out Windows 7.
Upgrading or buying a new PC? Check out Windows 7.

Compare Windows Vista to Windows 7. Learn more